Automatic pilot burner



Oct. 3, 1950 v CAPARQNE 2,524,622

AUTOMATIC PILUT BURNER Filed ma '7, 1948 IN 'EIY TOR.

24 Michael J. Capanone.

2 r BY LAZ Hi5 4TT0RNEY Patented Oct. 3, 1950 1 UNITEEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE Michael J. Caparone, Arcadia, Calif., assignor to Rohertshaw-Fulton Controls Company, Youngwood, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application May '7, 1948, Serial No. 25,541

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to fuel burners and, more particularly, to an automatic pilot for controlling a main burner. V

A conventional form of automatic pilot'consists of a pilot burner located in heating proximity to a thermal control element and in lighting proximity to amain burner. Upon extinction of the pilot flame, the control element coolsand Referring more particularly to the drawings, a fuel supply pipe in for a pilot burner is positioned adjacent a main burner l2 and a thermally responsive control element M. In the present embodiment, the thermally responsive control element l4 takes the form of a thermoelec- Generally,lin such evices aseries of smaller v accidentally. It is apparent, however, that should the lighter flame become extinguished due to clogging of the lighter port, no reignition could occur. Consequently, the heating flame would continue to heat the thermal "control element in the absence of any means toignite the main burner fuel. Thiscreates obviously dangerous conditions and defeats the purpose of the automatic pilot. T

An object of this invention is to prevent heating of the thermal control element in the absence of a flame for lighting the main burner.

Another object of th invention'is to utilize a simple construction of pilot burner for accomplishing simultaneously the separate heating and lighting functions. o

Another object of the invention is t'oinsure production of either of both lighting and heating flames of adequatesize or a-simultaneous reduction to inefiectiveness. Y

Another object of the invention is to render the device usable with either aerated or non-aerated pilot burners.

Another object of the invention is to afford protection for the flames against extinguishment from drafts.

Another object of the invention is to simplify dismantling of the parts for cleaning of the burner ports.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the automatic pilot in position at the main burner.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1 and 1 Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line III-III of Fig. 2.

tric device which is adapted when sufficiently heated to generate electric current for causing operation of an electromagnetic device (not shown) controlling the supply of fuel to the main burner [2.

The pilot burner of this invention comprises a cup-shaped head member IE having its open end interiorly threaded for engagement with a thread ed end 18 on the supply pipe H]. A singlelateral port 2!! is positioned in the Wall of the head member 96 adjacent the closed end thereof and provides communication between the supplypipe Iii and the exterior of the head member E6. The threaded end 86 of the head member 56 is reduced in diameter on its exterior surface for defining an annular shoulder 22 on one side of the port 29. Positioned on the shoulder 22 is an annular hood element 24 which is dished to locate the outer edge thereof closely adjacent the port 20. As is apparent from Figs. 1 and 3, the hood element 24 does not overlap any portion of the port 2|! and may be permanently secured in position on the shoulder 22 by swaging, welding or any other suitable'method.

A second annular hood element 26 is positioned on the head member I6 on theopposite side of the port 20 from the first mentioned hood element 24. The second hood element 26 is also dished to locate the outer edge thereof in overlying relation with the port 2. A convenient means of supporting the second hood element 26 in position comprises a reduced portion formed on the closed end of the head member l6 and defining an annular shoulder 28 upon which the second hood element 26 is seated with the closed end of the head member lB projecting therethrough. In order to removably secure the second hood element 26 in position, an annular recess 30 is formed in the closed end of the head member l6 and spaced approximately the thickness of the second hood element 26 from the shoulder 28. The recess 30 provides for the reception of a C-washer 32 which is inserted by a transverse slidable movement relative to the head member I6; Consequently, when the washer 32 is in position, the hood element 26 is firmly retainedupon the shoulder'28.

The second hood element 26 is provided with a depressed portion 34 which projects toward .the first hood element 24 and overlaps th port 20. Sufficient space is allowed between the exterior opening of the port 20 and the depressed portion 34 to permit exit of fuel from the supply pipe 18, although the velocity of such fuel is somewhat reduced. The depressed portion 34 interrupts the contour of the second hood element 26 for a distance substantially equal to the diameter of the port 20 and is so formed for a purpose which will be apparent hereinafter. As will be apparent from the drawing, the annular hood elements 24, 26, can be expeditiously manufactured from sheet material, such as metal, by stamping or otherwise forming the particular shapes described.

In the operation of the device, the fuel issuing from the port 2!; is ignited by any suitable means to produce a single flame. However, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. 2, this flame is divided into two peaks by reason of the depressed portion 34. One of these peaks extends on either side of the depressed portion 34 and serves to light the main burner 12 and heat the control element M, respectively. As is further apparent from Fig. 2 of the drawing, the flame at the burner port 2-9. is fan-shaped due to the dished construction of the hood elements 24, 26, and the particular spacing thereof relative to the port 20.

ihe single flame produced at the port Zll may, of course, become clogged after a period of use, but in such event the two peaks of this flame will be reduced to ineffective size or extinguished completely. Hence, the control element I4 is permitted to cool and shut-off the flow of fuel from the main burner l2 before a dangerous condition can exist. The construction of the head member and hood elements 24, 26 provides protection from drafts for the burner port 20 and also provides means for the retention of the flame by reducing the velocity of the gas at the edge of the hood elements Where the burning of the fuel begins. The type of flame desired can be produced by this device in either the aerated or non-aerated type of pilot burner.

Should the port 20 require cleaning, it is a matter of moments to withdraw the C-washer 32 and remove the second annular hood element 26 from its location on the shoulder 28.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A fuel burner comprising a hollow head member having a lateral port therein, a, pair of annular hood elements having their outer peripheral edges disposed on opposite sides of said port in proximate and substantially parallel relation for producing a fan-shaped flame at said port, one of said elements having a portion of its said peripheral edge projecting more closely toward the other said element and interrupting the contour of said one element for a distance not less than the diameter of said port, said projecting portion being positioned in overlying relation with said port and forming a baffle for defining at least one peak in the flame on either side of said projecting portion.

2. A fuel burner comprising a cup-shaped head member having a lateral port adjacent the closed end thereof, a reduced portion on said closed end defining an annular shoulder thereon, an annular hood element supported on said shoulder with said reduced portion projecting therethrough, said projecting reduced portion having an annular recess therein overlying said hood element, and a C-washer engageable with said head by transverse slidable movement in said recess for retaining said hood element on position on said shoulder.

3. A fuel burner comprising a cup-shaped head member having a lateral port adjacent the closed end thereof, an annular hood element supported adjacent the open end of said head on one side of said port, a second annular hood element supported on said head on the opposite side of said port and with said closed end projecting therethrough, said hood elements having their outer peripheral edges in proximate and substantiallywith said port and forming a baflle for defining at least one peak in the flame on either side of said projecting portion, and a c-washer engageable with said head by transverse slidable movement only relative thereto for retaining said second hood element in position thereon.

MICHAEL J. CAPARONE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,968,620 Roth July 31, 1934 2,114,848 Long et al Apr. 19, 1938 2,430,887 Ray Nov. 18, 1947 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 305,396 Germany May 4, 1918 

